polar bear and polar bear cub on pack ice in Greenland

Polar bear and cub

Our journey brings us into Greenland's most remote reaches for a cultural and natural history adventure in the Arctic.

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NEW TRIP

Greenland Explorer

Majestic Fjords, Calving Glaciers & the Midnight Sun aboard the Sea Spirit

Trip Details at-a-Glance

Cost From: $6495   see pricing
Length: 15 days
Arrive: Ottawa, Canada
Depart: Reykjavik, Iceland
Lodging: 13 nights aboard 112-guest vessel describe
Meals: All meals included aboard ship
Activity: Small Ship Cruising, Cultural Adventures, Wildlife & Natural History
Trip Level: Cultural exploration and walking tours
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Highlights

  • Zodiac excursions and sea kayaking adventures
  • Calving glaciers of Ilulisssat Fjord, a World Heritage Site
  • Towering granite walls of Tasermuit Fjord
  • Dog-sledding settlements, ancient Thule sites, Nuuk’s Inuit mummies

Choosing the Right Trip

We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please contact us.
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References

We are proud to have an exceptionally high rate of repeat travelers. For more information, we would be happy to put you in touch with a client who has traveled with us.

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Special Offer

Aug 16-30, 2013 & Aug 28-Sep 10, 2013 departures
Discount: 10% savings off cabin prices

Home to the world’s grandest fjords and the most active glaciers outside of Antarctica, Greenland is a place where the forces of nature still reign supreme. Aboard the 112-guest Sea Spirit, we navigate along the west coast, watching the massive, calving glaciers of Ilulissat Fjord, exploring ancient Thule sites in Amerdloq Fjord, visiting a dog-sledding settlement, and viewing the tumbling cascades and blue ice of the aptly named Fjord of Eternity. Rounding Cape Farewell, Greenland’s southernmost point, we contour along Tasermuit Fjord, with its 3,000-foot walls, and on the eastern coast, we visit ancient settlements dating to the time of Eric the Red. As we explore, adventures by Zodiac and sea kayak offer us up-close perspectives of Greenland’s wild landscapes.

Itinerary at a Glance

For a more complete description, Download Full Detailed Itinerary


Note: The August 16 departure operates in the reverse direction, with a pre-expedition night in Reykjavik and a post-expedition night in Ottawa.

Days 1-2
Ottawa, Canada / Kangerlussuaq, Greenland

Arrive in Canada’s capital city, Ottawa. The next day, board a charter flight to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, and embark on the Sea Spirit.

Days 3-8
West Greenland

We first discover Greenland’s wild beauty along the west coast, where we voyage deep into Ilulissat Fjord, a World Heritage Site 120 miles north of the Arctic Circle. It is home to one of the world’s fastest moving glaciers (almost 62 feet a day) and while we’re here, we’ll keep an eye out for the exciting sights and sounds of huge blocks of ice calving into the sea. At Amerdloq Fjord, we walk among ancient Thule sites, and at Evighedsfjorden (“Fjord of Eternity”), we head out on Zodiac cruises to appreciate Greenland’s breathtaking beauty from a new perspective. We also visit Nuuk, the capital, home to fewer than 16,000 people. At the Nuuk museum, we can view the famous 500-year-old Greenland mummies discovered in 1972 in an abandoned Inuit settlement. Back on board, we round Cape Farewell, marveling at the towering icebergs on the horizon. These first days also introduce us to the ethereal world of the midnight sun and the northern lights.

Day 9
South Greenland / East Greenland

We navigate into 35-mile-long Tasermuit Fjord, whose towering granite walls are known to mountaineers as one of the world’s great “big wall” climbing meccas. Continuing to East Greenland, we learn about its ancient human settlements. When the Viking chieftain Eric the Red was exiled from Iceland in 982 AD, he established a colony on this coast.

Days 10-12
East Greenland

We walk through the Arctic ghost town of Skoldungen, explore by Zodiac and sea kayak among blue-white icebergs, and visit Ammassalik, where we enjoy a hike in the Valley of Flowers and watch an Inuit cultural performance. Time and weather permitting, we may also search for whales in Ammassalik Fjord.

Days 13-14
At Sea / Reykjavik

Bidding farewell to Greenland, we turn east toward Iceland. Disembark on Day 14 in Reykjavik.

For a more complete description, Download Full Detailed Itinerary

Note: These cruises are not exclusive Wilderness Travel departures. The itinerary, lecturers, and other arrangements are subject to change at the discretion of the ship operator.

 

Departures

Aug 16-30, 2013  Iceland-Greenland

Aug 28-Sep 10, 2013  Greenland-Iceland

Trip Cost

Prices are for 2013
Per person, double occupancy

Cabin Category Rate per person
Triple Classic $6,495
Main Deck Suite $8,495
Classic Suite $9,495
Superior Suite $10,595
Deluxe Suite $12,595
Premium Suite $13,495
Owner’s Suite $16,995

Single supplement: 70% for Main Deck & Classic Suites, 100% for Superior Suite and above

If you sign up as a single but are willing to share, the ship operator will try to match you with a same-sex roommate. If there is no one to share a cabin with you, you pay only the per person cabin rate above.

Transfer Package Including Charter Flight: $1395
Sea Kayaking Option: $595

Note: On this trip, the purchase of arrival transfer packages and charter or domestic flights in conjunction with the expedition is mandatory.

Deck Plan

 

Triple: Located on the Oceanus Deck – 250 sq ft average; includes a picture window right in the hull. Triple cabins feature two wardrobes, two twins or a king-size bed and a pull out sofa bed. Triple cabins are #343-348.

Main Deck: Located on the Main Deck with 215 sq ft; includes a minimum of two portholes. Main deck cabins can be arranged into two twins or a king bed. Main deck cabins are #252, 254-261.

Classic: Located on the Oceanus Deck with 250 sq ft average; includes a picture window right in the hull. Classic cabins feature two wardrobes, include two twins or a king bed. Classic cabins are #330-336, 338-342.

Superior: Located on the Club Deck with 235 sq ft average; includes a walk-in closet and a large picture window opening onto an outside walkway. Superior cabins feature two twins or a king-size bed. Superior cabins are #414-428.

Deluxe: Located on the Sports Deck with 277 sq ft average; includes a sliding glass door leading to a private balcony and a walk-in closet. Deluxe cabins feature two twins or a king-size bed. Deluxe cabins are #505-512.

Suite: Located on the Sun Deck with 353 sq ft average; includes a sliding glass door leading to a private balcony, a spacious wardrobe, and a large picture window. Suite cabins feature two twins or a king-size bed. Suite cabins are #601-606.

Owners Suite: Located on the Sun Deck, the luxurious Owners Suite offers a spacious living room with game and meeting area, high-definition plasma TV/video player, BOSE stereo system and refrigerator. The large bathroom includes a jetted tub and a walk-in closet. One king bed in separate room, large sliding glass doors leading to a private sun deck at the bow of the ship.

Trip Cost Includes:

  • Shipboard accommodation with daily housekeeping.
  • All meals included aboard ship
  • All shore landings per the daily program
  • Leadership throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader
  • A daily program of lectures by noted naturalists.
  • All Zodiac transfers and cruising per the daily program.
  • Formal and informal presentations by our Expedition Team and Special Guests as scheduled
  • Photographic Journal on DVD, documenting the voyage
  • A pair of waterproof expedition boots on loan for shore landings
  • An official Quark Expeditions parka to keep
  • Coffee, tea and cocoa available around the clock
  • A selection of alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages
  • Hair dryer and bathrobe in every cabin
  • Comprehensive pre-departure materials, including a map and an informative Arctic Reader
  • All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
  • All luggage handling aboard ship
  • Pre and/or post hotel based on itinerary
  • On embarkation day transfer from your hotel to the ship
  • On disembarkation day group transfer from the ship designated drop-off location
  • Emergency Evacuation Insurance for all passengers to a maximum benefit of USD $100,000 per person
  • Pre and/or Post night accommodations as indicated in the itinerary
  • August 16 departure: pre-trip hotel night in Reykjavik with breakfast and transfers and a hotel and transfer in Ottowa

Trip Cost Does Not Include:

  • International airfare & mandatory charter flight
  • Passport and any applicable visa expenses
  • Government arrival and departure taxes
  • Any meals ashore with the exception of breakfast at the host hotel
  • Baggage, cancellation, interruption, and medical travel insurance
  • Excess baggage charges
  • Laundry and other personal charges
  • Telecommunications charges
  • The voluntary gratuity at the end of the voyage for shipboard staff and crew

Trip Payment Schedule*

At time of reservation: 20%
120 days prior to departure: Balance

*Please note that this differs from our regular catalog departures.

Cancellation and Transfer Fee Schedule*

180 days or more prior to departure: $1000
179-120 days prior to departure: deposit forfeited
120 days or less: 100% of trip cost

*Please note that this differs from our regular catalog departures.

Sea Spirit

One of the most spacious and luxurious expedition vessels in operation, the Sea Spirit carries a maximum of 112 guests in all outside-facing suites with marble-appointed bath facilities, picture window or portholes, walk-in-closet or wardrobe, in-room safe, refrigerator, and satellite telephone access. All cabins have TV/VCR and individually controlled thermostats. This outstanding expedition vessel offers two large lounges, fine dining, a hot tub, library, gym, and elevator access to all passenger levels. In addition to the team of guest lecturers, the Sea Spirit has a resident photographer to assist on deck and on shore. A fleet of sturdy inflatable landing crafts is used for shore excursions.

Deck Plan

 

Triple: Located on the Oceanus Deck – 250 sq ft average; includes a picture window right in the hull. Triple cabins feature two wardrobes, two twins or a king-size bed and a pull out sofa bed. Triple cabins are #343-348.

Main Deck: Located on the Main Deck with 215 sq ft; includes a minimum of two portholes. Main deck cabins can be arranged into two twins or a king bed. Main deck cabins are #252, 254-261.

Classic: Located on the Oceanus Deck with 250 sq ft average; includes a picture window right in the hull. Classic cabins feature two wardrobes, include two twins or a king bed. Classic cabins are #330-336, 338-342.

Superior: Located on the Club Deck with 235 sq ft average; includes a walk-in closet and a large picture window opening onto an outside walkway. Superior cabins feature two twins or a king-size bed. Superior cabins are #414-428.

Deluxe: Located on the Sports Deck with 277 sq ft average; includes a sliding glass door leading to a private balcony and a walk-in closet. Deluxe cabins feature two twins or a king-size bed. Deluxe cabins are #505-512.

Suite: Located on the Sun Deck with 353 sq ft average; includes a sliding glass door leading to a private balcony, a spacious wardrobe, and a large picture window. Suite cabins feature two twins or a king-size bed. Suite cabins are #601-606.

Owners Suite: Located on the Sun Deck, the luxurious Owners Suite offers a spacious living room with game and meeting area, high-definition plasma TV/video player, BOSE stereo system and refrigerator. The large bathroom includes a jetted tub and a walk-in closet. One king bed in separate room, large sliding glass doors leading to a private sun deck at the bow of the ship.